Dr. Key Hallmon’s No One Is Self-Made Redefines the Path to Entrepreneurial Success
“It takes a village.” It’s a phrase many of us are taught, rooted in the belief that unity and togetherness drive collective success. Yet, in today’s culture—where entrepreneurship and individual success are glorified—the term self-made has become a badge of honor. But can both community and individualism propel us forward? Dr. Key Hallmon, an entrepreneur, speaker, and change agent, tackles this question head-on in her HarperCollins debut, No One is Self-Made.
For Dr. Key, village is more than a word—it’s a movement. When she engaged with entrepreneurs at all stages of business, one common thread emerged: they needed community and funding. Rather than focusing solely on financial solutions, she set out to solve both. She understood that building a strong community would organically lead to increased sales, visibility, and access to resources—ultimately impacting funding in a more sustainable way.
This vision materialized as The Village Market, a direct pipeline connecting Black entrepreneurs with consumers and corporate partnerships. To date, her model has generated $8.8 million in direct sales for Black-owned businesses and awarded $800K in grants. Through partnerships with brands like Mastercard and Sprite, The Village Market and The Village Retail have created new opportunities for Black business owners to thrive.
Her belief remains true: “Community will always be the thing that saves us and propels us forward.”
Before launching The Village Market, Dr. Key founded a speaker series called It Takes a Village, where she introduced audiences to successful business owners. This early initiative was a precursor to her broader mission—proving that entrepreneurship thrives in community, not isolation.
Now, with her debut book, No One is Self-Made, she’s expanding this conversation on a national scale.
Set to release on February 4, No One is Self-Made challenges the deeply ingrained belief that success is achieved alone. Dr. Key argues that individualism erases the critical role of mentors, supporters, and communities who help shape an entrepreneur’s journey.
“We must return to community to build our coalition and collective.”
The book explores key challenges entrepreneurs face, including:
- Loneliness
- Financial insecurity
- First-generation business struggles
- Purpose and vulnerability and more.
Dr. Key provides actionable solutions to humanize the hardships while celebrating the journey—offering a bold roadmap for business owners who want to embrace collective economics and community-driven success.
More than just a mantra, “Support is a verb” is Dr. Key’s call to action. She challenges people to actively support Black-owned businesses—not just through one-time purchases, but by making it a lifestyle.
Real support means patronizing Black businesses consistently, knowledge-sharing and mentorship, and gathering intentionally to align on shared missions and visions
By embodying these principles, communities can build long-term economic strength from within.
Dr. Key’s journey as an author started long before No One is Self-Made. At just seven years old, she dreamed of writing a book. Now, she’s bringing that vision to life—not just to share her story, but to provide a blueprint for others.
Reflecting on her journey, she shares:
“You can have a vision when you’re younger, and if you’re diligent, work hard, and treat people well, there will come a time when you actualize the dreams you once spoke about.”
No One is Self-Made is not just a book; it’s a movement. It calls on entrepreneurs, change makers, and leaders to embrace the power of collective success—because real, lasting impact is never built alone.
For over 19 years, the Peachtree Village International Film Fest has brought rich, diverse content to Atlanta, and this year, they’re elevating this initiative with the launch of the East Point International Film Fest. Born from a partnership with the East Point Convention and Visitors Bureau, the festival aims to establish East Point as a premier film destination for visitors from near and far.
Taking place from November 7 to November 10, the festival opens with a press conference and brunch and wraps up with a cocktail reception. The event will feature a wide range of activities, including 60 film screenings, various panels and workshops, an awards show, and a pitch contest.
In an entrepreneurial landscape where accessing funding and mastering grant writing often feel like formidable obstacles, Stormi Banks, CEO of the Pink Print Firm, is dedicated to breaking down those barriers and creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs to thrive. Pink Print is more than a grant writing agency; it’s a movement dedicated to empowering women–especially women of color– to build and sustain debt-free businesses, achieve financial independence, and create lasting legacies of wealth.
The Debt-Free Revolution: Elevating Financial Literacy in Atlanta
Daniel Moijueh, Executive Director of Fenton Village in Silver Spring, Maryland, is dedicated to protecting and fostering growth within this vibrant community. Home to approximately 240 businesses, Fenton Village is a thriving neighborhood with establishments ranging from restaurants and salons to music and art stores. Under Moijueh’s leadership, the community is adapting to ongoing development, positioning itself as an enduring cultural and economic hub.
Cosha Joseph, a licensed professional and national certified counselor, was inspired to create 
The highlight of the night was a fireside chat between Moniek and Star94 Personality Alyssa DiTomasso, where Moniek shared insights about the importance of self-care and how her journal can serve as a tool to help others on their journey. The atmosphere was warm and uplifting, filled with thoughtful conversations and powerful reflections on achieving balance in life.
For those who couldn’t attend, 
The evening kicked off with an exclusive VIP reception, where influential guests and sponsors had the opportunity to network and engage in intimate conversations. Among the attendees were high-profile leaders from various industries, all united by a common goal: to support the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Kamille Richardson, founder and CEO of iSee Technologies, has turned the challenges she faced into powerful tools for change. Born blind, Kamille’s early career search was marked by rejection and biases, as many hiring managers were unwilling to accommodate or understand her blindness. These setbacks, rather than deterring her, fueled her resolve to create her path. Instead of being defined by the barriers imposed by others, Kamille decided to hire herself, which became the solution to the problems she faced.
Kamille Richardson and Lakila Bowden have taken their distinct paths and combined them to create iSee Technologies, a company that provides people development solutions with a focus on workforce wellness, performance enhancement, and inclusive workplaces. Their work shifts the hearts and minds of organizations, helping teams collaborate more effectively, boost profitability, and motivate employees to perform at their best.
Dahéli’s creative journey for her project, 
At its core, SPADURA delves into Dahéli’s personal journey with IVF, shedding light on the often unspoken struggles many women endure. IVF is far from an easy journey, and Dahéli made sure that the message was clear. However, her effort to make the topic relatable truly shone through, allowing audience members to connect deeply with her experience. Her authenticity and warmth radiated, letting women in the crowd know that they’re not alone, while also breaking down the stigma surrounding the all-too-common “When are you going to have a baby?” question that many married couples face.
Following the performance, Dahéli hosted a Q&A session, where audience members had the chance to share their own stories, ask questions, and reflect on the themes of the show. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and support, as others opened up about their experiences, feeling seen and heard in a space that Dahéli so thoughtfully created.